Purification and characterization of 2-alkenal reductase.

The purification of a 2-alkenal reductase to homogeneity from a rat liver 100 000 times g supernatant is described. Its molecular weight has been determined by Sephadex G-100 chromatography and sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis before and after reduction with mercaptoethanol and carboxymethylation. The monometric form has a molecular weight of 45 000. It tends to form, to a very small extent, dimeric and trimeric aggregates of molecular weights 90 000 and 135 000. The isoelectric point (IP) was determined to be 6.2 by isoelectric focusing.     

Isolation and partial characterization of an arginine-rich apolipoprotein from human plasma very-low-density lipoproteins: apolipoprotein E.

A water-insoluble apoprotein was isolated from apo-VLDL by column chromatography on Sephadex G-200 in sodium dodecylsulfate followed by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in a discontinous sodium dodecylsulfate system, or by preparative electrophoresis alone. The protein was similar in amino acid composition to the "arginine-rich protein" reported by Shore and Shore. It represented about 10% of the total protein mass of VLDL. The apoprotein showed one single band with an apparent Mr of 39000 in sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis, and was homogeneous in gel electrophoresis at pH 8.9 In 8M urea. Immunochemical studies also showed homogeneity of this protein, and antisera prepared against it did not react with any other of the well known apolipoproteins, but did react with VLDL and apo-VLDL preparations. Analytical isoelectric focusing in 8M urea resulted in a heterogeneous banding pattern showing three major polypeptides with pI values of 5.5, 5.6 and 5.75. Thus this apolipoprotein clearly differs from the apo-B and apo-C polypeptides of VLDL as well as from apoproteins A and D in its molecular weight, amino acid composition, focusing behavior and immunochemical properties.     

Affinity purification and properties of cathepsin-E-like acid proteinase from rat spleen.

A unique acid proteinase different from cathepsin D was purified from rat spleen by a method involving precipitation at pH 3.5, affinity chromatography on pepstatin-Sepharose 4B and concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B, chromatography on Sephadex G-100 and DEAE-Sephacel, and isoelectric focusing. A purification of 4200-fold over the homogenate was achieved and the yield was 11%. The purified enzyme appeared to be homogeneous on electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was determined to be 4.1-4.4. The enzyme hydrolyzed hemoglobin with a pH optimum of about 3.1. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be about 90000 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. In sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the purified enzyme showed a single protein band corresponding to a molecular weight of about 45000. The hydrolysis of bovine hemoglobin by the enzyme was much higher than that of serum albumin. Various synthetic and natural inhibitors of the enzyme were tested. The enzyme was inhbited by Zn2+, Fe3+, Pb2+, cyanide, p-chloromercuribenzoate, iodoacetic acid and pepstatin, whereas 2-mercaptoethanol, phenylmethyl-sulfonyl fluoride and leupeptin showed no effect.     

Glucosidases specific for the cyanogenic glucoside triglochinin. Purification and characterization of beta-glucosidases from Alocasia macrorrhiza Schott]

beta-Glucosidases have been isolated from Alocasia macrorrhiza plants. The enzymes are highly specific for the hydrolysis of the cyanogenic glucoside triglochinin endogenous to this plant. Upon chromatography of protein extracts on cation exchange resins and Sephadex G-200, separation into various enzymatically active bands was observed. The main fractions possess molecular weights of approximately 310000 and 105 000, as shown by preparative ultracentrifugation in a linear saccharose gradient. The beta-glucosidases are composed of subunits (molecular weight 55 000 to 60 000), as revealed by sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis. The result of alkaline disc electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel suggest that the beta-glucosidase fraction with molecular weight 105 000 is a dissociation product of the 310 000 molecular-weight species. The isoelectric points of the various beta-glocusidase bands, obtained by isoelectric focusing, vary between pH 4.5 and 5.0. The beta-glucosidases show a pronounced specificity for triglochinin. The Km for this substrate (3 times 10(-5) M) is 50 to 100-fold lower than for all other substrates hydrolyzed. Of the other cyanogenic glycosides, only those with an aromatic aglycone, (S)-configuration at the asymmetric carbon atom of the aglycone and glucose as sugar moiety were hydrolyzed to a measurable extent. The pH optimum of the enzyme reaction is 5.5, the temperature optimum around 50 degrees C. Cu2 ions and glucono-1,5-lactone inhibit beta-glucosidase activity approximately 50% at a concentration of 5 times 10(-4) M, while Hg2,Ag and p-chloromercuribenzoate show the same percent inhibition at 5 times 10(-7) M. Lipophilic solvents (ethanol, ethylene glycol monomethylether) activate the beta-glucosidase activity, preferentially by influencing the V values of the enzymes.     

Purification of lysophospholipase of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and its properties.

Lysophospholipase [EC 3.1.1.5] was solubilized from the cells of Vibrio parahaemolyticus with Triton X-100 and purified by the following procedure; precipitation with ammonium sulfate, acid treatment and ion exchange column chromatography using DEAE-cellulose, DEAE-Sephadex A-50, and CM-cellulose, successively. The purified preparation was shown to be homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel disk electrophoresis. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was found to be around pH 3.64 by isoelectric focusing electrophoresis, and its molecular weight was estimated to be 89,000 at pH 7.6 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. The minimal molecular weight (15,000) was found at pH 3 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and also by SDS-polyacrylamide disk electrophoresis. The enzyme hydrolyzed 1-acyl-GPC, 1-acyl-GPE, 2-acyl-GPE, and lysocardiolipin but did not attack monoacylglycerol, triacylglycerol, or phosphatidylcholine at all. The enzyme activity required no bivalent cations, and was unaffected by reagents specific to SH-groups, although it was inhibited by Hg2+. The enzyme activity was completely inhibited by preincubation with diisopropylfluorophosphate. The enzyme lost its activity on preincubation with either 1% SDS or 8 M urea at 37 degrees C for 30 min, but the activity lost with urea was recovered by dialysis against distilled water.     

Multiple proteins related to the soluble galactose-binding animal lectin revealed by a monoclonal anti-lectin antibody.

An enzyme catalysing the O-methylation of isobutyraldoxime by S-adenosyl-L-methionine was isolated from Pseudomonas sp. N.C.I.B. 11652. The enzyme was purified 220-fold by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and chromatography on calcium phosphate gel. Homogeneity of the enzyme preparation was confirmed by isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gel and sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The enzyme showed a narrow pH optimum at 10.25, required thiol-protecting agents for activity and was rapidly denatured at temperatures above 35 degrees C. The Km values for isobutyraldoxime and S-adenosyl-L-methionine were respectively 0.24 mM and 0.15 mM. Studies on substrate specificity indicated that attack was mainly restricted to oximes of C4-C6 aldehydes, with preference being shown for those with branching in the 2- or 3-position. Ketoximes were not substrates for the enzyme. Gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 gave an Mr of 84 000 for the intact enzyme, and sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis indicated an Mr of 37 500, suggesting the presence of two subunits in the intact enzyme. S-Adenosylhomocysteine was a powerful competitive inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine, with a Ki of 0.027 mM. The enzyme was also susceptible to inhibition by thiol-blocking reagents and heavy-metal ions. Mg2+ was not required for maximum activity.     

Fractionation of some bovine whey proteins by recycling gel filtration on a large scale.

Fractionation of bovine whey concentrate was performed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 both on a laboratory scale and on a large scale. By a recycling procedure and improved separation was obtained and the whey proteins were resolved into four fractions in the weight ratio 3:12:1:4. The fractions were analysed by polyacrylamide gel (PAG) electrophoresis and the apparent molecular weights were determined by thin layer gel chromatography (TLG) and by sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis.     

Neuraminidase in Bacteroides fragilis.

A neuraminidase from Bacteroides fragilis was purified 542-fold by isoelectric focusing, adsorption chromatography on Affi-Gel 202, and gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-200. On isoelectric focusing the neuraminidase was resolved into three differently charged fractions with pI values of 6.8, 7.1, and 7.4. The major component of pI 7.1 was used for further purification. The purified enzyme had optimal activity at pH 6.4 with N-acetylneuraminlactose as the substrate. Its molecular weight, determined by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography, was 92,000. The neuraminidase hydrolyzed terminal neuraminic acid residues from N-acetylneuraminlactose, fetuin, bovine submaxillary mucin, and porcine stomach lining mucin. A new method for the detection of neuraminidase activity is described which is based on rocket affinoelectrophoresis. It utilizes the differences in the interaction of sialylated and desialylated mucin with Helix pomatia lectin, enzymatic activity being detected by formation of affinorockets after incubation of the neuraminidase with bovine submaxillary mucin.     

Preparation and characterization of two isozymes of choline acetyltransferase from squid head ganglia. II. Self-association, molecular weight determinations, and studies with inactivating antisera.

The two isozymes of choline acetyltransferase (Acetyl-CoA:choline O-acetyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.6) from head ganglia of Loligo pealei have been examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel chromatography, and equilibrium sedimentation in the ultracentrifuge. Inactivating antisera, prepared to both native and dithiothreitol-treated isozymes 1 and 2 of squid choline acetyltransferase, were used to demonstrate the immunologic identity of isozymes 1 and 2. Each isozyme appeared to contain two non-identical catalytically active subunits, with molecular weights of approx. 37 000 and 56 000. A staining method was developed to visualize choline acetyltransferase activity in acrylamide gels. The method is based on the formation of a precipitate of manganese ferrocyanide at sites where free coenzyme A is released. By this method, and by analysis of gel slices, it was found that each of the isozymes can form aggregates of several different sizes. The formation of immune precipitates with the aggregates showed the identity of the multiple bands of enzyme protein resolved on disc gel electrophoresis. Isozyme 1 was most active as a small aggregate, whereas isozyme 2 was most active as a large aggregate. Both chromatography on Sephadex G-200 and isoelectric focusing yielded a number of active species with molecular weights ranging from 35 000 to 300 000. In addition, we demonstrated the dissociation of enzyme protein in the presence of 1.0 - 10(-2) M dithiothreitol, the formation of multiple precipitin bands by aged enzyme, and the identity of the different isoelectric fractions of each of the isozymes.     

Sarcoplasmic reticulum. X. The protein composition of sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes

The proteins of Sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis into several fractions ranging in mol wt from 300,000 to about 30,000. The ATPase enzyme involved in Ca²⁺ transport is associated with a major protein fraction and its molecular weight based on its electrophoretic mobility on polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate is about 106,000. Reducing agents (β-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol) cause the dissociation of membrane proteins into subunits of 20,000–60,000 mol wt, which can be separated by electrophoresis or Sephadex G-150 chromatography.     

Cystatins of human placenta

Two low-molecular protein fractions inhibiting cysteine proteases were isolated from human placenta by alkalization to pH 11, acetone fractionation, affinity chromatography on CM-papain-Sepharose 4B, and Sephadex G-75 gel filtration. The results of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing indicate that one of there fractions in a dimer of cystatins B, and another is a mixture of cystatins A and B.     

Investigations on the outer membrane proteins of Salmonella typhimurium.

The number, nature and organization of the outer membrane proteins of Salmonella typhimurium have not yet been resolved. Therefore these proteins were isolated using a concentrated solution of guanidine hydrochloride and studied using different analytical techniques. Upon chromatography on Sephadex G-200 four fractions were obtained. Only the fraction containing a protein of molecular weight 13,000 produced immunoprecipitation reactions with the antisera raised against the whole bacteria. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate, 7 major proteins were found, with molecular weights between 13,000 and 43,000. Isoelectric focusing on 4.6% polyacrylamide gels resolved the outer membrane proteins into 10 bands with apparent isoelectric points between 5.0 and 8.4. Finally these proteins could be further resolved into as many as 50 spots where a two-dimensional electrophoresis was carried out with isoelectric focusing in the first dimension, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate in the second dimension. These results demonstrated that the outer membrane proteins of S. typhimurium are extremely heterogeneous. To investigate the mode of organization of lipopolysaccharides in the outer membrane, the membrane proteins were separated by the liquid isoelectric focusing technique. Lipopolysaccharides were primarily found to be associated with a protein of isoelectric point 7.8.     

The purification and characterization of multiple forms of mouse submaxillary gland renin

Five forms of renin, A₀, A, C, D and E, from mouse submaxillary gland were purified by a two-step procedure including chromatography on the immunoaffinity column and CM-cellulose column. Four renin fractions, A₀, A, C and E were purified to homogeneity by the criteria of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, analytical isoelectric focusing and Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion. All these forms of renin have molecular weights of 40 000 as determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 column. No high molecular weight renin could be demonstrated. Individual renin fractions showed similar angiotensin I formation activity, 52–158 ng angiotensin I/ng protein per h. No other protease activity could be detected with hemoglobin or casein as substrate. These purified proteins showed a discrete pattern of migration under polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under denaturing condition in SDS-gel electrophoresis, all but fraction D showed a protein band with a molecular weight of 30 000. Fraction D showed a major component with molecular weight of 33 000. The isoelectric points of these renin forms varied from 5.46 to 5.76. They all reacted with antibody raised against renin A and showed similar pressor response activity with 20 ng quantities of the purified proteins. The closely related characteristics of these five forms of renin were further demonstrated by their similarity in peptide mapping patterns after limited digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease. The data suggest that these proteins are homologous proteins.     

Acyl-coenzyme-A synthetase I from Candida lipolytica. Purification, properties and immunochemical studies.

Acyl-coenzyme-A synthetase I from Candida lipolytica has been purified to homogeneity as evidenced by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of dodecylsulfate as well as by Ouchterlony double-diffusion analysis. The purification procedure involves resolution of cellular particles with Triton X-100 and chromatography on phosphocellulose, Blue-Sepharose and Sephadex G-100. The purified enzyme exhibits a specific activity of 20--24 U/mg protein at 25 degree C, which is about 100-fold higher than those of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases hitherto reported. The molecular weight of the enzyme has been estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecylsulfate to be approximately 84 000. The enzyme is specific for fatty acids with 14--18 carbon atoms regardless of the degree of unsaturation. Studies with the use of specific antibody to acyl-CoA synthetase I have indicated that this enzyme is immunochemically distinguishable from acyl-CoA synthetase II.     

Purification and properties of plasminogen activator from human blood plasma after sudden death]

Plasminogen activator from human blood plasma after sudden death was isolated and purified 60-90-fold by precipitation with ammonium sulfate, ZnSO4 and ethanol as well as by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-50 and gel--filtration through Sephadex G-200. The resulting enzyme had specific activity of 110-210 units per mg of protein. The enzyme prepartion possessed no plasmin activity; total content of carbohydrates was 2.4-2.5%; that of syalic acids--1.2-1.3%. The enzyme was found heterogeneous during disc electrophoresis in 7.0% polyacrylamide gel and corresponded in its mobility to beta-globulins of blood plasma. Molecular weight of enzyme as determined by gel-filtration through Sephadex G-200 is 70000. The isoelectric point lies at pH 6.2.     

Some physicochemical characteristics of an immune lymphocyte product which inhibits the multiplication of toxoplasma within mouse macrophages.

In response to antigenic stimulation, the splenic lymphocytes from Toxoplasma-infected mice produce a factor which is called by the authors the Toxoplasma growth inhibitory factor (Toxo-GIF) and which inhibits the multiplication of Toxoplasma within nonimmune macrophages in vitro. In this study, partial characterization of murine Toxo-GIF was examined using Sephadex G-100 gel-filtration, isoelectric focusing, zonal electrophoresis and heat and enzymatic treatment. Peak activity of Toxo-GIF was found in a Sephadex G-100 fraction with a similar molecular size to that of the ovalbumin. The molecular weight of Toxo-GIF was calculated to be between 38,000 and 55,000. Toxo-GIF was stable to heating at 56 C for 30 min but lost its activity at 80 for 30 min or by exposure to pH values of 5 and 2. Exposure of Toxo-GIF to water-insoluble chymotrypsin or neuraminidase markedly decreased its ability to induce enhanced microbicidal activity of cultured macrophages, suggesting that Toxo-GIF was a glycoprotein. Furthermore, Toxo-GIF migrated in a region cathodal to mouse albumin on agar zone electrophoresis. Isoelectric focusing of active Sephadex fractions showed a well-defined peak of Toxo-GIF activity with an isoelectric point of pH 4.9 to 5.9.     

Studies on the characterization of the sodium-potassium transport adenosine triphosphatase. Purification and properties of the enzyme from the electric organ of Electrophorus electricus

An unspecific carboxylesterase was purified 180-fold from acid-precipitated human liver microsomes. The final preparation was homogeneous on disc electrophoresis and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of 6.25 M urea at pH 3.2. A single symmetrical peak was also found on gel filtration and on velocity sedimentation in the analytical ultracentrifuge, whereas slight heterogeneity was observed on isoelectric focusing.The amino acid composition of the purified enzyme is presented. From the results the partial specific volume (0.745 ml × g^?1) and the minimal molecular weight (60,000) could be calculated. Fingerprint maps of tryptic peptides from the carboxymethylated enzyme are shown.The molecular weight as determined by gel filtration, disc electrophoresis, and analytical ultracentrifugation is in the range of 181,000–186,000. For the molecular weight of the subunits a value of 61,500 has been obtained by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The equivalent weight of the enzyme has been estimated to be 62,500 from stoichiometry of its reaction with diethyl-p-nitrophenyl-phosphate. Partial cross-linking of the subunits with dimethyl suberimidate and subsequent sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis yielded three bands with molecular weights of 60,000, 120,000, and 180,000.From these results it is concluded that human liver esterase is a trimeric protein. It is composed of three subunits of equal size, and there is one active site per subunit.     

Purification, characterization and subcellular localization of pig liver alpha-L-iduronidase

alpha-L-Iduronidase was purified about 100,000-fold from pig liver by employing column chromatography on cellulose phosphate (P11), concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B, heparin-Sepharose 4B, Toyopearl HW-55, Sephadex G-100 and chelating Sepharose 6B charged with cupric ions. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 70 kDa by Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The purified enzyme gave a single band on disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis without using sodium dodecyl sulfate. However, two separate components of 70 kDa and 62 kDa appeared when it was analyzed by SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These 70-kDa and 62-kDa components were confirmed as alpha-L-iduronidase immunochemically. The isoelectric points of these enzymes were both 9.1 as measured by isoelectric focusing in a polyacrylamide gel containing ampholine and sucrose. The optimal pH and Km values were 3.0-3.5 and 65 microM 4-methylumbelliferyl-alpha-L-iduronide, respectively. The purified enzyme was stable in the pH range 3.5-6.0 under conditions with or without 0.5 M NaCl. However, in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl, it was unstable at pH 3.0. Moreover, it was conversely stabilized at pH 7.0 in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl. Immunohistochemically, the enzyme was found in the Kupffer cells and was abundant on their lysosomal membranes. In liver cells, however, the immunohistochemical reaction was weak.     

Purification and Some Properties of Two Aminopeptidases from Sardines

Two fish aminopeptidases designated as aminopeptidases I and II were purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, gel filtration on Sephadex G-200, and isoelectric focusing. The final preparations of enzymes I and II were judged nearly homogenous by polyacrylamide gel I, electrophoresis. The molecular weights of enzymes I and II were determined by gel filtration to be 370,000 and 320,000, respectively. The isoelectric points were 4.1 (I) and 4.8 (II), Both enzymes were inhibited by EDTA and activated by Co⁺⁺. Bestatin could inhibit enzyme I but not enzyme II. Enzymes I and II rapidly hydrolyzed not only synthetic substrates containing alanine or leucine but also di-, tri-, and tetra-alanine. Judged from all of these properties, sardine aminopeptidases resemble human alanine aminopeptidase. Enzyme I retained more than 70% of its original activity in 15% NaCl, suggesting the enzyme participates in hydrolyzing fish proteins and peptides during fish sauce production.     

Purification and properties of cathepsin D from the mammary glands of lactating rabbits

Cathepsin D was purified from the lactating rabbit mammary gland by a rapid procedure, which included fractionation with (NH4)2SO4, acid precipitation, double affinity chromatography on pepstatin-Sepharose 4B and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, resulting in approximately 360-fold purification of the enzyme over the homogenate and approximately 16% recovery. After isoelectric focusing, the enzyme dissociated into four (pI 5.8, 6.3, 6.5 and 7.2) multiple forms, but appeared homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cathepsin D has a Mr of 45 kDa as determined by Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. On sodium dodecylsulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the enzyme gave a single protein band, corresponding to Mr of 45 kDa. The amino acid composition of the enzyme is similar to that of cathepsins D from other tissues. A single N-terminal amino acid was glycine. Cathepsin D contains 6.4% carbohydrates consisting of mannose, galactose, fucose and glucosamine at a ratio of 3:9:2:2. Cathepsin D is inhibited by pepstatin with Ki of 2.5 X 10(-9) M and irreversibly by N-diazoacetyl-N'-2.4-dinitrophenyl-ethylene diamine. The enzyme hydrolyzes bovine hemoglobin with the maximal activity at pH 3.0 with Km = 10(-5) M and HLeu-Ser-Phe(NO2)-Nle-Ala-Leu-OMe with Km = 4 X 10(-5) M and Rcat = 0.95 s-1. The major cleavage sites were Leu15-Tyr16, Phe24-Phe25 and Phe25-Tyr26 during hydrolysis of the oxidized insulin B-chain by cathepsin D.